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What happens when you send a message // Message states you’ll see in Notify

When you send a message using GOV.UK Notify, it moves through different states.

Notify’s real-time dashboard lets you check the status of any message, to see when it was delivered. You can use our API to check the status of your messages too.

Read our documentation for a detailed list of API message statuses.

A picture of the sending flow of messages in Notify, showing the three states of Sending, Delivered, And Failed. Also shows the next
             steps when messages fail, deleting data and trying a new channel for permanent failures, and trying again or trying a new channel for
             temporary failures

Message status – emails and text messages

Sending

GOV.UK Notify has sent the message to the provider. The provider will try to deliver the message to the recipient. GOV.UK Notify is waiting for delivery information.

Sent internationally (text messages only)

The message was sent to an international number. The mobile networks in some countries do not provide any more delivery information.

Delivered

The message was successfully delivered.

Notify will not tell you if a user has opened or read a message.

Phone number or email address does not exist

The provider could not deliver the message because the email address or phone number was wrong.

You should remove these email addresses or phone numbers from your database.

You’ll still be charged for text messages to numbers that do not exist.

Inbox/phone not accepting messages right now

The provider could not deliver the message after trying for 72 hours.

This can happen when the recipient’s inbox is full or their phone is off.

You can try to send the message again.

You’ll still be charged for text messages to phones that are not accepting messages.

Technical failure

Your message was not sent because there was a problem between Notify and the provider.

You’ll have to try sending your messages again.

You will not be charged for text messages that are affected by a technical failure.

Message status – letters

Sent

GOV.UK Notify has sent the letter to the provider to be printed.

Cancelled

Sending cancelled. Your letter will not be printed or dispatched.

Technical failure

GOV.UK Notify had an unexpected error while sending to our printing provider.

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